Impact Of Rising Temperatures on Floods
Rising temperatures increase the atmosphere’s ability to hold moisture, causing heavier rainfall. A 1.5°C temperature rise can lead to 1.5 times more frequent downpours and 10% more rainfall. A 2°C rise could result in floods 1.7 times per decade with 14% more rain.
Key Effects Of Climate Change
- Heavier Rainfall: Example – Germany’s 2021 floods were worsened by climate change.
- Higher Moisture Levels: Example – Record rainfall in UAE and Oman in 2023.
- More Frequent Floods: Example – Increased flood frequency in Europe.
- Snow to Rain Transition: Example – More floods in the Alps as snow turns to rain.
- Urban Flooding: Example – Dhaka’s flood risk rises with rapid urban growth.
- Low-Income Impact: Example – Floods in India and China displace millions.
- Rising Sea Levels: Example – Coastal flooding worsens in Miami.
Other Causes Of Flooding
- Deforestation: Example – Sundarbans floods worsened by deforestation.
- Floodplain Encroachment: Example – Bihar floods intensified by building on floodplains.
- Poor Infrastructure: Example – Annual embankment breaches in Bihar and West Bengal.
- Unplanned Urbanization: Poor planning increases flood risks in cities.
Flood Mitigation Strategies
- Early Warning Systems: Example – Assam’s FLEWS provides flood alerts.
- Eco-Restoration: Example – Red River Delta project restored wetlands.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Example – Bangladesh’s embankment improvement project.
- Community Involvement: Example – “Living with Floods” educates communities.
- Flood-Resistant Agriculture: Example – Integrated Rice-Fish Farming in flood zones.
NDMA Guidelines
Before Floods
- Avoid building in flood-prone areas.
- Elevate utilities like electric panels, water heaters, and appliances.
- Install check valves to prevent floodwater from entering drains.
During Flood Risk
- Stay informed through local news or weather updates.
- Move to higher ground immediately if floodwaters rise.
- Avoid walking or driving through flash flood zones.
Evacuation
- Secure your home by locking doors and windows.
- Move valuable items and furniture upstairs or to higher ground.
- Avoid walking through floodwater, as it may be contaminated or fast-moving.
Periyar EV Ramasamy: Social Reformer And Rationalist
Periyar EV Ramasamy was a leader who fought against caste oppression, particularly by Brahmins, and led movements to uplift Tamils.
Key Contributions
- Congress Party (1919-1925): Joined in 1919, but left in 1925 over disagreements with Gandhi on caste issues. He later joined the Justice Party and started the Self-Respect Movement.
- Vaikom Satyagraha (1924-25): Supported protests in Kerala against untouchability, which led to temple roads opening for all castes.
- Self-Respect Movement (1925): Focused on promoting equality and dignity for non-Brahmins.
- Justice Party Leader (1938): Led the party in its fight for social justice and against Brahmin dominance.
Core Values
- Equality: Promoted caste and gender equality.
- Rationalism: Encouraged questioning traditions and beliefs.
- Self-Respect: Stressed dignity for the oppressed.
- Justice: Fought against caste discrimination.
- Gender Equality: Supported women’s rights and independence.
- Secularism: Opposed religious orthodoxy and caste practices.
- Empowerment: Urged marginalized communities to stand up for their rights.
BepiColombo’s Fourth Mercury Flyby
The joint European-Japanese BepiColombo mission has successfully completed its fourth flyby of Mercury, bringing the spacecraft closer to its orbit around the planet. This flyby marks a major achievement, as it captured the first-ever view of Mercury’s South Pole. The mission is now on track for its full orbital mission, though its final arrival has been delayed to November 2026.
BepiColombo Mission Overview
- Launch: October 2018.
- Partners: European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- Mission Goal: Study Mercury’s surface, composition, magnetic field, and its interaction with the solar environment.
Facts About Mercury
- Position: Closest planet to the Sun.
- Size: Smallest planet in the solar system.
- Temperature: Venus is hotter due to its thick atmosphere, even though Mercury is closer to the Sun.
- Satellites: Mercury has no moons.
- Rotation: Takes 88 Earth days to complete one orbit around the Sun.